Molding apparatus



Oct. 11, 1932. l. STEES 1,882,371

MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 22, 1929 2 Sheets-$heet l Oct. 11, 1932. l. STEES 1,882,371

MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 22, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III 7 V gfees p "75-' 7- 5.

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Patented Oct. 11, 1932 ISAAC STEES, or HARRISBURG, P NNSYLVANIA MOLDING APPARATUS Application filed October 22, 1929. Serial No. 401,452.

This invention relates to a molding apparatus and'it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind of a portable type and which can be readily operated by unskilled labor.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this kind of a type adapted for use in connection with a pallet or bed of sand or kindred absorbing material whereby within a short period of time after the pouring operation the apparatus may be removed for further use, thus enabling a relatively large production with a minimum of cost. y

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind which is intended for use in the formation of cementitious blocks, such as used in building construction, and wherein the parts of the apparatus are so constructed to permit a single apparatus to be employed with equal advantage in the production of blocks of differing lengths. 1

The invention consists in the details of 93 construction and in thecombination and arrangement' of the several parts ofmy improved molding apparatus whereby certain importantadvantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and K otherwise more convenientand advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my inventionmaybe the bet ter understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein V Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a molding apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention with striking plates resting thereon;

Figure2 is' a sectional view taken substantially on the'line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of an .end portion of the apparatus as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4: is a view in end elevation of the apparatus as illustrated in Figure 1 with a collecting pan applied thereto; 7

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 ofFigure 1;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section taken through an end portionof the apparatus as herein disclosed withthe collectin pan applied thereto.

My-improved apparatus as herein disclosed comprises two side members 1 of desired length and. which are provided at theirextremities with the upstanding posts 2 terminating in the outwardly directed arms 3 constituting handle members for a purpose tobe hereinafter moreparticularly referred to.

The arms or handles 3 and posts 2 preferably constitute integral partsas is also true with respect to the posts 2 and the memberl associated therewith.

The members '1 are arranged in parallelism and substantially coplanar and the posts 2 at each end thereof are connected by the transversely disposed end platest held. in desired position by rivets 5 or otherwise as may be preferred. V

These plates 4 have their lower margins defined by the outstanding reinforcing flanges 6, the under surfaces of which being substantially flush with the under surfaces of-the members 1 although disposed in a direction beyond the opposite ends thereof. These plates 4 also provide means for maintaining the members 1 in desired fixed spaced relation one with respect to the other.

Each ofthe plates 4 in its opposite end portions are provided with a series of vertically disposed slots 7 open at their tops and spaced in a direction lengthwise'of the plate 4. These slots? are adapted to have selectively applied therein an end portion of a side holding plate 8. This side holding plate 8 is of a length greater than that of a side member 1 and also ofa lengthto permit its opposite end portions to be properly "engaged with both of the end plates 4.. The

lower marginal'portion of the plate 8 is defined by an outstanding reinforcing or strengthening flange 9. v

The slots 7 at their lower or closed ends 7 terminate closely adjacent to the lower edges of the plates 4:. The plate 8 is of a 1 ment. be readily and freely lifted by direct pull width substantially equal to the length of each of the slots 7 so that when the plate 8 is in applied or working position the upper longitudinal edge thereof will be substantially flush with the upper longitudinal edges of the end plates 4.

As'is clearly disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in my apparatus two side plates 8 are employed and the selective engagement of these plates within the slots 7 serves to determine the length of the block or blocks to be molded.

The plates 8 at desired points spaced lengthwise thereof areprovided with the vertical slots 10 open at their upper ends, adj a 'cent slots 10 being spaced apart a distance to determine the width of the block to be molded.

These slots '10 at their inner or closed ends terminate closely adjacent to the lower edges of the plates 8, and when the plates 8 are in applied or working position the slots v10 of one plate are in transverse alignment with the slots 10 of the second plate. Freely insertible from above within each pair of transversely aligned slots 10 is an elongated plate 11, said plate being of a width in accordance with the desired height or depth of the block to be molded and also of a width less than the widths of the plates 4 and 8 so that when a plate 11 is in applied position its upper longitudinal margin terminates a material distance below the upper margins of the plates 4 and 8. This assembly of a plate 11 and more particularly with respect to the side plates 8 is highly important and more especially in the production of high grade bricks or blocks as when the cross plate 11 is in working position it is maintained substantially in fixed place- However. each of such plates 11 can or, if required, it is also capable of ready and free endwise movement. These movements, however, will at all times occur in a fixed bath and thereby in no way damaging the side faces of the adjacent blocks or bricks due to the fact that the opposed edges of the slots 10 in which each of'the plates 11 is received serve as a fixed guide for such'plate 11 at all times until after the plate has been raised a distance sufficiently to carry the plate entirely above the top surface of the material being molded as, of course, in the molding operation the cementitious material is wiped off flushwith the top of the plates 11 when in their lowermost position.

As many pairs of transversely aligned slots 10 may be provided as required and as permitted by the size of the apparatus.

In practice a bed or pallet 13 of sand or kindred absorbent material is laid out on a suitable supporting surface and the members 1 withthe associated end plates, 4 properly rested thereon. The plates 8 are then applied as desired and are effectively maintained in such applied position through the medium of the wedge members 12 inserted within the same slots as the plates 8 and contacting with the outer faces of such plates. Each of these wedge members 12 is connected to the adjacent plate'4 by a chain 14 or other suitable fiexible member to prevent loss of such wedge member, said chain 14 being of a length, however, to permit ready application or removal of the wedge member 12.

After the plates 8 have been applied a quantity of sand or kindred material is placed upon the bed-B within the field defined by the plates 4 and 8 whereupon a striker plate S is drawn lengthwise of the plates 8 and between the end plates 4 and the applied plates 11 immediately adjacent thereto are not used for molding but provide convenient spaces to receive the surplus of the sand or kindred material which may becarried off by the striker plate S inleveling the sand, as

indicated at a in Figure 2. Should this surplus of sand be excessive the same will readily pass out through a discharge opening or 7 slot 16 provided in the lower portion of each of the end plates 4.

After the sand has been properly leveled At this time it is to be stated thatthe spaces 'therebetween so that the sand or kindred material within such field will be at a desired the plates 11 are applied whereupon the cementitious material is poured within the various molding chambers. After thiscementitious material has been poured a second striker plate S is employed to wipe off'the upper portion. of such, cementitious material to bring the same level with the upper edges of the applied plates 11'. a r

This striker plate S snugly engages between the applied plates 8 and at its upper portion is provided with the outward extensions 1'? which arealso adapted to rest upon the upper edges of the plates 8. The striker plate S when supported by the upper edges of the plates 8, aspar'ticularly illustrated in Figure 2, and with this plate S substantially vertical, has its lower edge substantially flush with the upper edges of the plates 11.' As this striker plate S is drawn over the filled molding chamberssurplus materialwill be carried to the spaces at either end of the apparatus in accordance with the direction of wiping stroke of the plate S.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6 a collecting pan P is placed within one of these end spaces to receive this surplus material so that after the wiping operation of the striker plate S, such surplus material may be readily withdrawn and, if desired, returned to the source of supply. This pan P has one side thereof continued by an upstanding plate 18 provided at its opposite sides with the downward 1y facing hook members 19 adapted to be engaged over the adjacent end plate 4 so that the pan P will be effectively supported in desired working position for the collection of surplus material.

Due to the fact that my improved apparatus is employed with a bed or pallet B ofsand or kindred absorbing material, in practice within five to ten minutes after the cementitious material has been poured such material has set sufficiently to permit the apparatus to be separated therefrom and be used again.

In removing the apparatus, the plates 11 are first withdrawn by substantially direct upward movement and preferably by a workman grasping the opposite ends thereof. After the plates 11 have been removed the plates 8 are then taken away, also preferably by direct upward movement. The workmen then take hold of the handles 3 to lift the connected side members 1 and carry the same to the desired new working location.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a molding apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several part-s herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. A molding apparatus comprising a pair of spaced side members, end plates carried by said side members and maintaining the same in spaced relation, said end plates extending above the side members, said end plates having a series of open slots spaced apart lengthwise thereof, side plates having their end portions engageable within the slots of the end plates, said side plates having longitudinally spaced open slots, the slots in one of said side plates being in substantially transverse alignment with the slots in the second side plate, plates engageable within the slots of the side plates and bridging the space therebetween, a collecting pan, and means for supporting said pan Within the spaces between the end plates and the adjacent applied third plate.

2. A molding apparatus comprising a pair of spaced side members, end plates carried by'said side members and maintaining the same in spaced relation, said end plates extending above the side members, said end plates having a series of open slots spaced apart lengthwise thereof, side plates having their end portions engageable within the slots of the end plates, said side plates having longitudinally spaced open slots, the

slots in one of said side plates being in substantially transverse alignment with the slots in the second side plate, plates engageable Wall and engaging the upper edge of one of said end members whereby to suspend said pan therefrom. V

4. A molding apparatus comprising a pair of spaced side members, means for supporting said spaced members in desired relation, said side members having a series of slots spaced apart lengthwise thereof and opening through the upperedges of the members, the closed ends of the slots terminating closely adjacent the opposite edges of the side members, and plates engageable within the slots of the side members and bridging the space therebetween, said plates being each of a width to have its upper marginal edge terminate inwardly of the upper edges of the side members when in applied position, extensions formed with the ends of said plates and extending beyond the sidemembers, the slots ofthe side members in which the plate is received serving as guiding means for said plate in all of its movements, said plate being a freely insertible Within the slots for lifting .movement out of the slots or for endwise movement through the slots, the slots in the members serving as such guiding means until after the plate has been raised in the slots a distance in excess of the width of the plate.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

ISAAC STEES. 

